Best Barrager Bow? - Guild Wars Forums

Aegis Byrth · Jun 04, 2006, 11:53 AM // 11:53

With my Barrager 'sin I've been using Elswyth's Recurve Bow for a while, but didn't really bothered to look at all the differenr greens/types of bow.

I'm still an Assassin primary ( i swap to markmanship only in specific locations), and never had a ranger. So i was wondering: What is the BEST bow for a barrager?

Blkout · Jun 04, 2006, 12:51 PM // 12:51

Vampiric or Zealous modded and/or Horn/Shadow/Ivory Bow for the extra 10% AP.

Nestaron · Jun 04, 2006, 12:55 PM // 12:55

Elsywths is perfect.. That bow is one sexy mother!!!

Evilsod · Jun 04, 2006, 12:57 PM // 12:57

Isn't a Shadow Bow a Recurve, not a horn? But if you want damage... i'd go for Vampiric, Zealous is just a waste of space if you have 13 Expertise to hit 2 energy point for Barrage since you can spam it all night and not run out.

Since, like most i can't afford/be arsed to buy a Horn bow, i just use Elswyths Recurve from the tombs.

Bane of Mortality · Jun 04, 2006, 01:30 PM // 13:30

I'd like to add something to this question. Which bow has the smoothest transitions for barrage? With some bows you get halfway through a normal attack animation then reset at the barrage one.

dargon · Jun 04, 2006, 04:58 PM // 16:58

Shadow Bows are a type of Horn Bow

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Category:Bows

fallot · Jun 04, 2006, 06:40 PM // 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bane of Mortality

I'd like to add something to this question. Which bow has the smoothest transitions for barrage? With some bows you get halfway through a normal attack animation then reset at the barrage one.

Recurve/Composite bows will get you the desired effect.

EagleEye33 · Jun 04, 2006, 06:47 PM // 18:47

Heh I never even bothered to try Elswyth's bow yet, such a huge bow collection I have but I just end up using drago's the most :P (but if you have a horn bow I think that would be best)

The Herbalizer · Jun 04, 2006, 06:53 PM // 18:53

would a -5 energy horn bow be any good? also what are the best sort of mods as for a barrage bow?

Loki Seiguro · Jun 04, 2006, 06:58 PM // 18:58

best mods? there are none - only a vamp or zealous would be your somewaht restriction. but other then that nothing

some would say use 15^50 bow for extra dmg but i dont really care about that..

and sure a -5 enrgy bow isnt a big deal because the xpertise of a main ranger lowers the cost of barrage and ranger have an energy regen of 4? i think... so it wont matter

noiw to go further you might want to consider getting druids armor beacsue it gives you extra energy for spamming..

Evilsod · Jun 04, 2006, 07:02 PM // 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by dargon

Shadow Bows are a type of Horn Bow

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Category:Bows

...

Damn, i always thought they were Recurve

Must be because of Elswyths having Recurve attributes but shadow skin...

Just checked the link, didn't realise Ascalon Bows came as different types either... i thought they were all the same type.

-5 energy would be perfect if you were using 13 Expertise. The only time i hit 0 is if i spam Concussion Shot a little too often or get hit by a lot of E-surge.

Da Cebuano · Jun 04, 2006, 07:07 PM // 19:07

The best bow for barrage is a Vampiric shortbow of marksmanship +1 20% coincedentally, a graygore short bow has this exact stat, its the best barrage bow. Shortest reload is and the short distance provides maximum accuracy while maintaining good projectile speed. The vamp adds +5 energy while they stack health to you while the +1 means additional dmg bonus when it kicks in.

Dr Strangelove · Jun 04, 2006, 07:15 PM // 19:15

I have a vampiric shadow bow of defense, but I still usually use my Elswyth's recurve. The attack time is smoother, and it's nice for those interrupts that barrage builds always bring along. A shortbow can be nice, especially when stacked with tiger's fury... but meh.

The Herbalizer · Jun 04, 2006, 07:22 PM // 19:22

why the +1 marksmanship, wouldnt +30hp or armor +5 be better? soz im a ranger newb with a load of perf bows and i dont know what they are good for

Da Cebuano · Jun 04, 2006, 07:27 PM // 19:27

I'm talking in pure dmg and taking barrage to the extreme. A +30hp is nice but its not maximizing your barrage nor does it do anything for your attacks. I'm assuming when you're doing barrage, you are at a relatively safe position where you are not getting hammered, in which case, a dmg increase is more drastically useful than a self serving mod.

Ramses · Jun 04, 2006, 07:28 PM // 19:28

agreed...elswyth's is pretty much the best option for pretty cheap

Kalki · Jun 04, 2006, 07:54 PM // 19:54

I like to use Longbows (Storm bows), because I can stay out of aggro range (which helps the mobs clump together), and it has a lower arc then Recurve. A short bow would attack faster, but if the enemies are getting scattered cause of too much aggro, there will be a drop in DPS.

For bow strings, I prefer 5/-1 Vampiric and 20/20 Sundering, cause they work better with Orders or Judge's Insight.

For inherent mod, I prefer 15>50 on my bows, because I'm rarely in aggro range and taking damage. If I'm taking damage, and fall below 50% health I'm either running or healing myself.

Finally, I prefer 20% marksmanship cause it adds lots of damage for the Barrage spam. It's also good to have a 30 health bow if you're getting too much DP.

I couldn't find a green bow with the exact stats I prefer so I made 2 of my own.

Serafita Kayin · Jun 04, 2006, 08:01 PM // 20:01

I run 16 marks with a 5/1 vampiric zodiac bow of defense, also have an elswyths for if I'm under degen.

The "best" bow is subjective. At 16 marks, the +1 from a grip isn't gonna affect my damage that much, while being able to move to whatever position I need is. Ergo, for me I use armor/hp mods to accentuate my mobility.

I also tend to favor an ebon bow for its double damage vs afflicted and general non-immunity among mobs. Good, solid damage.

Look also at a build that drops a trap, brambles, and a crippling bowstring for some real chaos and a lot of help to a nuker.

It's situational, and the best rangers are equipped for every situation.

Best of luck, there's lots to read.

Fyre Brand · Jun 04, 2006, 11:44 PM // 23:44

I like using a short bow type. I use a vamp half-moon of defense. It's 5/1 vamp and +15%/-10AR and with the +5 defensive grip it's only -5AR. I would rather lose a little AR over energy because it's easier to balance AR is fairly easy to bump, plus I don't try and tank too much. The short bows seem smooth on refire with Barrage. I have an Eternal bow that I use when I don't want to get that close or I'm under too much degen.

I use Marksmanship 12 - 14, Expertise 9 - 13, and secondary in Healing or Blood at 12.

I use Barrage, Distracting, and Savage as my main attacks. Since Barrage and Distracting are only 5E it's easy to get away with 9 Expertise. I save Savage for the emergency interupt and mainly try and use only Distracting for the important things (Heal Signet, nasty necro hexes, the ever healing monk, etc). If I use Concussion or too many more 10E + ranger skills then I bump up Expertise to 13 and keep Marksmanship at 12 and the rest in my secondary. Higher Marks will do marginally higher damage, but costs a lot in attribute points that can go a long way to having a more balanced build. That all depends on your playing style.

For secondary I use Monk a lot. A Barrage ranger makes excellent support. If you bring Vigorous Spirit you will be healing yourself and can also help buff the melee types since it's cheap. I bring Breeze for emergencies and an appropriate rez. Depending on the area I will bring hex and/or condition removal it will help enough. These skills really help offset the vamp mod so your monk isn't always healing you (and yes bring another non-vamp bow).

I have been trying out Necro as a second and it works great with the Barrage setup. It has fairly cheap self healing skills and can also add to the degen of the target while keeping your health up.

Haggard · Jun 05, 2006, 07:22 AM // 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilsod

Just checked the link, didn't realise Ascalon Bows came as different types either... i thought they were all the same type.

Well, since the desert collectors have several identical statted ascalon bows, if they were all flatbows itd be a bit of a waste

Jun 04, 2006, 11:53 AM // 11:53	#1
Aegis Byrth Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Just entered Hyperspace Guild: HOTS Profession: W/	Best Barrager Bow? With my Barrager 'sin I've been using Elswyth's Recurve Bow for a while, but didn't really bothered to look at all the differenr greens/types of bow. I'm still an Assassin primary ( i swap to markmanship only in specific locations), and never had a ranger. So i was wondering: What is the BEST bow for a barrager?

Jun 04, 2006, 12:51 PM // 12:51	#2
Blkout Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2005	Vampiric or Zealous modded and/or Horn/Shadow/Ivory Bow for the extra 10% AP.

Jun 04, 2006, 12:55 PM // 12:55	#3
Nestaron Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Guild: Banished Dragons Profession: A/	Elsywths is perfect.. That bow is one sexy mother!!!

Jun 04, 2006, 12:57 PM // 12:57	#4
Evilsod Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: England Guild: Lievs Death Squad [LDS]	Isn't a Shadow Bow a Recurve, not a horn? But if you want damage... i'd go for Vampiric, Zealous is just a waste of space if you have 13 Expertise to hit 2 energy point for Barrage since you can spam it all night and not run out. Since, like most i can't afford/be arsed to buy a Horn bow, i just use Elswyths Recurve from the tombs.

Jun 04, 2006, 01:30 PM // 13:30	#5
Bane of Mortality Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: Valor and Zeal [VZ]	I'd like to add something to this question. Which bow has the smoothest transitions for barrage? With some bows you get halfway through a normal attack animation then reset at the barrage one.

Jun 04, 2006, 04:58 PM // 16:58	#6
dargon Furnace Stoker Join Date: May 2005 Guild: The Seraphim Knights [TSK] Profession: R/	Shadow Bows are a type of Horn Bow http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Category:Bows

Jun 04, 2006, 06:47 PM // 18:47	#8
EagleEye33 Krytan Explorer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a House...duh Guild: Untouchable Heroes Profession: R/E	Heh I never even bothered to try Elswyth's bow yet, such a huge bow collection I have but I just end up using drago's the most :P (but if you have a horn bow I think that would be best)

Jun 04, 2006, 06:53 PM // 18:53	#9
The Herbalizer <3 Ecto Join Date: Jul 2005	would a -5 energy horn bow be any good? also what are the best sort of mods as for a barrage bow?

Jun 04, 2006, 06:58 PM // 18:58	#10
Loki Seiguro Desert Nomad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: IGN: Scarlet Test Ace Guild: We play Isketch in [HoH] Profession: E/	best mods? there are none - only a vamp or zealous would be your somewaht restriction. but other then that nothing some would say use 15^50 bow for extra dmg but i dont really care about that.. and sure a -5 enrgy bow isnt a big deal because the xpertise of a main ranger lowers the cost of barrage and ranger have an energy regen of 4? i think... so it wont matter noiw to go further you might want to consider getting druids armor beacsue it gives you extra energy for spamming..

Jun 04, 2006, 07:07 PM // 19:07	#12
Da Cebuano Desert Nomad Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia born in Cebu Guild: Jelly Toast[jT] Profession: W/	The best bow for barrage is a Vampiric shortbow of marksmanship +1 20% coincedentally, a graygore short bow has this exact stat, its the best barrage bow. Shortest reload is and the short distance provides maximum accuracy while maintaining good projectile speed. The vamp adds +5 energy while they stack health to you while the +1 means additional dmg bonus when it kicks in.

Jun 04, 2006, 07:15 PM // 19:15	#13
Dr Strangelove Furnace Stoker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wasting away again in Margaritaville Guild: [HOTR]	I have a vampiric shadow bow of defense, but I still usually use my Elswyth's recurve. The attack time is smoother, and it's nice for those interrupts that barrage builds always bring along. A shortbow can be nice, especially when stacked with tiger's fury... but meh.

Jun 04, 2006, 07:22 PM // 19:22	#14
The Herbalizer <3 Ecto Join Date: Jul 2005	why the +1 marksmanship, wouldnt +30hp or armor +5 be better? soz im a ranger newb with a load of perf bows and i dont know what they are good for

Jun 04, 2006, 07:27 PM // 19:27	#15
Da Cebuano Desert Nomad Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia born in Cebu Guild: Jelly Toast[jT] Profession: W/	I'm talking in pure dmg and taking barrage to the extreme. A +30hp is nice but its not maximizing your barrage nor does it do anything for your attacks. I'm assuming when you're doing barrage, you are at a relatively safe position where you are not getting hammered, in which case, a dmg increase is more drastically useful than a self serving mod.

Jun 04, 2006, 07:28 PM // 19:28	#16
Ramses Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Marhan's Grotto Guild: [AC] Profession: W/	agreed...elswyth's is pretty much the best option for pretty cheap

Jun 04, 2006, 07:54 PM // 19:54	#17
Kalki Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Dec 2005 Guild: Summoners of Forgotten Gods Profession: W/Mo	I like to use Longbows (Storm bows), because I can stay out of aggro range (which helps the mobs clump together), and it has a lower arc then Recurve. A short bow would attack faster, but if the enemies are getting scattered cause of too much aggro, there will be a drop in DPS. For bow strings, I prefer 5/-1 Vampiric and 20/20 Sundering, cause they work better with Orders or Judge's Insight. For inherent mod, I prefer 15>50 on my bows, because I'm rarely in aggro range and taking damage. If I'm taking damage, and fall below 50% health I'm either running or healing myself. Finally, I prefer 20% marksmanship cause it adds lots of damage for the Barrage spam. It's also good to have a 30 health bow if you're getting too much DP. I couldn't find a green bow with the exact stats I prefer so I made 2 of my own.

Jun 04, 2006, 08:01 PM // 20:01	#18
Serafita Kayin Exclusive Reclusive Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Guild: Seraph's Pinion (wing) Profession: R/Me	I run 16 marks with a 5/1 vampiric zodiac bow of defense, also have an elswyths for if I'm under degen. The "best" bow is subjective. At 16 marks, the +1 from a grip isn't gonna affect my damage that much, while being able to move to whatever position I need is. Ergo, for me I use armor/hp mods to accentuate my mobility. I also tend to favor an ebon bow for its double damage vs afflicted and general non-immunity among mobs. Good, solid damage. Look also at a build that drops a trap, brambles, and a crippling bowstring for some real chaos and a lot of help to a nuker. It's situational, and the best rangers are equipped for every situation. Best of luck, there's lots to read.

Jun 04, 2006, 11:44 PM // 23:44	#19
Fyre Brand Krytan Explorer Join Date: Sep 2005 Guild: Shadowlight Order [SoR]	I like using a short bow type. I use a vamp half-moon of defense. It's 5/1 vamp and +15%/-10AR and with the +5 defensive grip it's only -5AR. I would rather lose a little AR over energy because it's easier to balance AR is fairly easy to bump, plus I don't try and tank too much. The short bows seem smooth on refire with Barrage. I have an Eternal bow that I use when I don't want to get that close or I'm under too much degen. I use Marksmanship 12 - 14, Expertise 9 - 13, and secondary in Healing or Blood at 12. I use Barrage, Distracting, and Savage as my main attacks. Since Barrage and Distracting are only 5E it's easy to get away with 9 Expertise. I save Savage for the emergency interupt and mainly try and use only Distracting for the important things (Heal Signet, nasty necro hexes, the ever healing monk, etc). If I use Concussion or too many more 10E + ranger skills then I bump up Expertise to 13 and keep Marksmanship at 12 and the rest in my secondary. Higher Marks will do marginally higher damage, but costs a lot in attribute points that can go a long way to having a more balanced build. That all depends on your playing style. For secondary I use Monk a lot. A Barrage ranger makes excellent support. If you bring Vigorous Spirit you will be healing yourself and can also help buff the melee types since it's cheap. I bring Breeze for emergencies and an appropriate rez. Depending on the area I will bring hex and/or condition removal it will help enough. These skills really help offset the vamp mod so your monk isn't always healing you (and yes bring another non-vamp bow). I have been trying out Necro as a second and it works great with the Barrage setup. It has fairly cheap self healing skills and can also add to the degen of the target while keeping your health up.